July round-up 2025

Hello from the Patchwork Challenge team!

We have now completed our monthly review for July and it seems to have been a slow month nationally, with a lot of effort put in but little reward gained, with a few points scored here and there. However, there have still been some nice birds recorded, including this stunning adult White-winged Black Tern on Gordon's Estuarine patch of Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth. Read on to find out what more has been seen! We hope you will enjoy. 

White-winged Black Tern, Frampton Sailing Lake, Gordon Hodgson

Leading scores by mini league 3km²:

Inland North England: Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings - 183 points

Inland Midlands: Pete Sofley, Ladywalk NR - 160 points

Inland South England: Matthew Dick, RSPB Lakenheath- 147 points

Inland Scotland: Alex Ash, Kilmacolm - 86 points 

Inland Wales: Nicholas Beswick, Mynydd Llangatwg - 58 points

Coastal East England: Jack Pettit, Spurn - 290 points

Coastal South England: Jacob Spinks, Dungeness Bird Observatory 3km² - 262 points

Coastal West England: Sean O'Hara, Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake - 133 points

Coastal Scotland: Dylan Daunt, Musselburgh - 174 points 

Coastal Wales: Peter Howlett, Cardiff Bay and Alex Jones, Rhyl - 97 points

Estuarine: Gordon Hodgson, Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth - 159 points

Islands: David Parnaby, Fair Isle - 226 points

Top Comparative Scores:

Paul Whitehouse, Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands 3km² - 107%

Neil Burt, Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton 3km² - 99% 

Tom Shields, Nottingham Trent Valley 10km radius - 99%

Freddie Matthews, Winchester 3km² - 98%

Tom Shields, Colwick Park 3km²  - 98%

Dan Webb, Sellack 10km - 98%

William Lambourne, Ledbury (Herefordshire) 10km - 98%

Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings 3km² - 97%

Gareth Casburn, Ardley ERF 3km² - 97% 

Owen Tattersall, Figham Common 3km² - 95%

Dave Helliar, Chard 10km - 95%

Inland North, England:

Ben Moyes keeps the top spot with 183 points at Swillington Ings, with no additions in July. It has become neck and neck for second place with Duncan Bye at Wheldrake Ings stuck on 159 points while Ciarian Rowett has caught him up at WWT Martin Mere, whose monthly highlights include Nuthatch and Black-necked Grebe. Lee Wiseman in fourth only added one species, a flock of Common Scoters calling overhead one late evening, a typical thing in the Pennines in July and August, putting him on 137 points. Darren Best at Swinemoor and Mike Leakey at Bishop Middleham are on joint fifth place with 125 points - Mike's highlights were Whimbrel and Hobby. Owen Tattersall at Figham Common and Paul Whitehouse at Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands are also on the same number of points in sixth with 94. Owen's highlights include Kingfishers and patch tick Tawny Owl while Paul's highlight is Spoonbill. The rest of the table is still very tight, as three contestants are on 91, 90 and 89, with Phil Woollen at Mollington currently on top of this little battle for ninth. 

Inland Midlands, England:

Peter Sofley is still up top after achieving 160 points at Ladywlk NR, his month's highligh was certainly Willow Tit but also recorded Black-tailed Godwit. There has been no place changes in the top five of this league so Steve Atkinson at Middle Tame is still in second on 142 points, with no additions in July. In third, Andy Sims has kept his position, scoring 124 points by the end of month- the best bird being the first patch record of Spoonbill. Brian Hedley at Trent Port/Marton now on 113 points, his best birds of July included Redstart, five Ravens and a Hobby. Tom Shields at Colwick Park had a nice inland record of Sandwich Tern at Colwick Park, putting him on 107 points, and a fantastic comparitve score of 98% - the highest in this league. Steve Lister still trailing Tom by two points, he is now on 105 points and his highlight being Redshank. William Lambourne now in seventh at Much Marcle scoring 96 points by the end of the month, and having two patch golds in July in the form of Little Grebe and Little Egret! Dan Leadley in Dereham, Norfolk, is still on 72 points from 70 species. 

In the 10km league, Andy Sims at Swanpool is now first with 149 points, Richard Harbird in the Redditch area is now second after scoring 145 points, his highlight being a Wood Sandpiper at Morton Bagot. Tom Shields at Nottingham Trent Valley is on a superb 99% comparitive score, with 144 points so far, his highlights include Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Harrier. William Lambourne in fourth, but his moment of migration magic sounds ace with drizzle creating an inland fall of warblers, including over a hundred Chiffchaffs and 30 Reed Warblers, as well as five Spotted Flycatchers. Will also noted his first local Redshank during the month, leaving him on a 98% comparitive score, which Dan Webb in fifth is also on, after noting both Greenshank (this being just a second record for the patch) and Redshank giving him a end of month score of 124 points. Steve Lister isn't far behind on 116 points. 

Spoonbill as well as Great and Little Egret, Boultham Mere, Andy Sims

Inland South, England:

No change in points or position to the top three spots, which are held by Matthew Dick at RSPB Lakenheath, Geoff Wyatt at Day's Lock and Freddie Matthews at Winchester respectively. John Pritchard adding a couple of points, putting him on 112 in fourth with a pair of breeding Spotted Flycatchers. Gareth Casburn at Ardley ERF added five points in July, he is now on 109 points and a great comparitive score of 97%. Conor Mackenzie at Sutton Courtenay fell behind to sixth, after not adding any points in July. Neil Burt had two additions at Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton, with typical July fare of five Spotted Flycatchers and up to 29 Crossbills, putting him on a fantastic 99% comparitive. Ian Bennell at Tring Reservoirs still on 103 points but Gareth Blockley almost caught him up, after adding four points puts him on 102 at Grimsbury Reservoir and East Banbury. Next is Charlie Joseph at Weald CP and Bentley area is on 86 points, with highlights of Crossbill and Hobby. 

Over in the 10km league, Dave Helliar at Chard is still at the top spot with 142 points scores, 95% comparitively, his highlights include Cattle Egret, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit. 

Coastal East, England:

Jack Pettit has been running away with the score so far, mopping up 290 points at Spurn with highlights including finding a White-rumped Sandpiper, but also seeing Honey Buzzard, Wood Warbler and a local mega Stone Curlew. Trevor Girling at Titchwell RSPB is in second with 233 points followed by Owen Beaumont at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, who had an excitable month with White-winged Black Tern, Bee-eater and Osprey putting him on 224 points. James Brown at Lowestoft had Roseate Tern and Little Gull, classic July species, so he finished the month on 183 points. Paul French in Easington noted Bee-eater and Crossbill over his garden, but also was hearing broods of Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl on repeat, 24hrs a day. Stuart Ainsworth at Gibraltar Point is only one point behind Paul while there is quite a gap to seventh with Will Scott on 151 points at Bempton Cliffs. Duncan Watson has increased his tally to 145 points at Tynemouth and so has John Chapman at South Tyneside to 129 points, keeping that local rivalry alive. Paul Newton at Hawsker Bottom is on 97 points but logged a patch first with three Gadwall, patch gold!

Coastal West, England:

Sean O'Hara added one point to his score, making him finish July on 134 points at Leasowe, Meols and Hoylake. Unfortunately, he is still the only participant in this league. 

Coastal South, England:

There isn't much change in the top spots in any of the leagues, and this league is the same with Jacob Spinks in the Dungeness Bird Observatory recording area now 263 points, after a very slow July with Honey Buzzard being a late addition to the year list. Amy Robjohns has clawed back second place after updating her scores, she is now on 184 points at Titchfield Haven. Kevin Reynolds is in third at his Dawlish Warren patch with 160 points. His window patch at Teignmouth is stuck on 63 points. In the 10km league, Jacob Spinks at Dungeness broke the 300 point mark with 309 recorded, the highlight being an adult Pectoral Sandpiper. Amy Robjohns covering The Solent area notched up 186 points putting her in second quickly followed by Bob Ford on his walking around Weymouth who finished July on 180 points, his highlight being Yellow-legged Gull. 

Esturaine:

Gordon Hodgson at Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth is still in the lead with now 159 points, a very good 93% comparitive score - his two highlights were a patch gold (and tick) White-winged Black Tern as well as Crossbill. Peter Hazelwood at Oldbury Power Station still on 144 points in second and Jackie Binks at Garston Coastal/Oglet in third, added one point to their tally, now on 122 points. 

Islands:

After David's mega June on Fair Isle, he added no additons to his year list in July so he continues to be on 216 points. John Bowler on Balephuil is slowly catching him up, adding three points in July to reach a total of 219, highlights being Greenshank and Little Grebe. David Roche on the cusp of 200 points is 10 points behind John, but had some good totals of a second-calender year Long-tailed Skua and a singing Quail. Steve Dudley on Westray had no change there, but Sean Morris on both of his Isle of Rum 3km patches added one point, putting him on 110 and 99 points respectively. In the 10km league, John Bowler on Tirree logged the Wood Duck again after a lengthy absence as well as Storm Petrel leaving him in first place with 226 points. Steve Dudley on Westray noted two additions, Red-necked Phalarope and Swift, both could be the only record of the year there - Steve finished the month on 213 points. Sean Morris on Rum added two points from last month, now on 132. 

Swallow, Tiree, John Bowler

Inland Scotland:

The only change in the league is that Lee Hesp at Strathyre added a couple of species, with one of these being his second two pointer of the year - a Hooded Crow. This putting him on 56 points. 

Coastal Scotland:

Newcomer Dylan Daut at Musselburgh has taken the top spot with 174 points, which means Andrew Whewell is now in second after increasing his points tally too 139 at North Berwick. Nick Littlewood at Portsoy had a good month, bringing his total up to 135 points after patch ticking Sanderling, but also adding Crossbill and Sooty Shearwater for the year. Rich Arthurs at Gullane/Aberlady Bay is now in fourth, just one point behind Nick. There was no change in the lower part of the league but Rob Hughes at Nybster and Andrew Whitehouse at Girdle Ness and Torry are only one point apart, 130 and 129 respectively. 

Red Kite, Caithness, Rob Hughes

No changes in any of the following leagues: Coastal Wales, Inland Wales, Coastal Ireland and Inland Ireland. 

Remember to keep us updated, by using either the #PWC2025 or #PatchBirding hashtags on Bluesky and Twitter! Please post photos, and we will try to include as many as possible in our monthly round-ups. Any questions or mistakes that need editing, don't hesitate to get in touch via direct message. Good luck for the rest of August and we look forward to seeing what you get! 

We have also secured funding for this year's prizes, so keep your eyes peeled and ears sharp for new patch year ticks this autumn! Funding has been secured through the writing of an article coming next year and also from your purchases from our shop, which is available at https://patchwork-challenge.teemill.com/. If you want a personalised item, these can be done but will just take longer. We hope you enjoy!

Happy Birding, 

Patchwork Challenge team

First half of the year overview

 Hello!

We have recently had an article published on the Birdguides website, giving a detailed account on how the first half of #PWC2025 has progressed. Why not take a look by following this link: https://www.birdguides.com/articles/patchwork-challenge-2025-update/ 

Hope you enjoy! 

Patchwork Challenge team

June round-up 2025

 Hello from the PWC team! 

Although June was a seemingly quiet month, we are now well and truly in autumn territory and we look forward to seeing what you record on your patches as the migration begins to unfold. 

Caspian Tern, Lakenheath RSPB, Matthew Dick. One of the month's superb finds.

Remember, if you are out birding this summer and come across any RBBP data species, report them appropriately and to the local county recorder, for more information follow this link: https://rbbp.org.uk/ 

Leading scores by mini league 3km²:

Inland North England: Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings - 183 points

Inland Midlands: Pete Sofley, Ladywalk NR - 157 points

Inland South England: Matthew Dick, RSPB Lakenheath- 147 points

Inland Scotland: Alex Ash, Kilmacolm - 86 points 

Inland Wales: Nicholas Beswick, Mynydd Llangatwg - 58 points

Coastal East England: Jack Pettit, Spurn - 276 points

Coastal South England: Jacob Spinks, Dungeness Bird Observatory 3km² - 258 points

Coastal West England: Sean O'Hara, Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake - 133 points

Coastal Scotland: Rich Arthurs, Aberlady Bay/Gullane and Andrew Whewell at North Berwick East - 134 points

Coastal Wales: Peter Howlett, Cardiff Bay and Alex Jones, Rhyl - 97 points

Estuarine: Gordon Hodgson, Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth - 155 points

Islands: David Parnaby, Fair Isle - 216 points

Top Comparative Scores:

Paul Whitehouse, Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands 3km² - 103%

Freddie Matthews, Winchester 3km² - 98%

Neil Burt, Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton 3km² - 97% 

Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings 3km² - 97%

Tom Shields, both patches Colwick Park 3km² and Nottingham Trent Valley 10km radius - 96%

Dan Webb, Sellack 10km - 95%

Mark Lawlor, Hommet to Rousse, Guernsey 10km - 93% 

Gareth Casburn, Ardley ERF 3km² - 93% 

Ian Bennell, Tring Reservoirs,College Lake + Pitstone Quarry 3km² - 93%

Inland North, England:

A slow month, with only a few points added per participant apart from a few exceptions. Ben Moyes still not budging from the top spot, gaining just the one point in June leaving him on 183 points, a whopping of his comparitive score. Although his tweets suggest a superb Collared Pratincole on patch in June! So definetly a few more points to be added on. Duncan Bye increased his score to 159 with Osprey, a flock of five Cattle Egret, Green Sandpiper and Green Woodpecker while Ciaran Rowett at WWT Martin Mere dropped to third on 151 points, a Hobby the only bird of note. Lee Wiseman at Gouthwaite Reservoir has notched up 136 points, with Whitethroat the only new bird followed by Darren Best at Swinemoor, who added Cattle Egret. Mike Leakey at Bishop Middleham just five points behind, on 120 points, adding Red Kite this month. A very tight few spots in the league, Paul Whitehouse at Stanley Ferry Washlands and Phil Woollen at Mollington on the same points score of 91, but the former on a brilliant comparitive of 103% and adding Hobby in June. At Figham Common, Owen Tattersall just one point behind those two, he also saw Cattle Egret but this time grounded on his patch shadowed by Nigel Harris at Middletons on 89 points. 

Cattle Egret flock, Duncan Bye

Inland Midlands, England:

Peter Sofley still in the lead with a total of 157 points by midway point in the year. His highlights include Sanderling and Greenshank. Steve Atkinson at Middle Tame is in second with 142 points, Black-necked Grebes being the best this month, then a bit of a gap with Andy Sims at Swanpool in third at Boultham Mere/Swanpool on 118 points, quickly followed by Brian Hedley at Trent Port on 112 points whose highlights this month include Grasshopper Warbler and Redstart. Tom Shields at Colwick Park is in fifth on 105 points after adding Hobby, leaving him on an impressive 96% comparitive score, the highest in this mini-league to date. Steve Lister at Swithland Reservoir got another hard earned patch tick in the form of a Sanderling, putting him on 198 for his patch life list. He is now only two points off Tom. 

Over in the 10km league, Andy Sims is in the lead from Swanpool, with 142 points scored and some great month highlights which included Glossy Ibis and finding a Red-necked Phalarope. Tom Shields again in the lead with a comparitive score of 96% with 139 points from Nottingham Trent Valley and Richard Harbird is on the same points scored at Redditch. Only seven points seperating the next three, Dan Webb at Sellack is on 121 points, a boastful 95% comparitive, William Lambourne at Ledbury is on 117 points, having noted Firecrest and a part of the Crossbill influx. Steve Lister at Loughborough also picked up on the Crossbills, putting him on 114 points, plus he had another garden Cattle Egret. 

Inland South, England:

A generally very slow month in this mini-league, with only a couple of new highlights mentioned, although one of great signifigance being a Caspian Tern found by Matthew Dick at RSPB Lakenheath, securing him the lead so far with 147 points and a great 92% comparitive score. Geoff Wyatt at Day's Lock, Oxon still on 137 points but now sitting in second place, Freddie Matthews at Whinchester is still in third, but added a few bits including Crossbill, Black Redstart and Ring-necked Parakeet, putting him on 129 points - whopping comparitive score of 98%. A dozen points seperates the next six participants, but only one had any notables, Neil Burt at Hothfield broke the hundred point brrier with Hobby and Nightingale leaving him on joint sevent with Ian Bennell at Tring Reservoirs. The former on a very considerable comparitive score of 97%. The only other notables mentioned were from Tom Bedford in the Lye Valley area, where he recorded four Common Crossbills over Urban Oxford and a singing Reed Warbler in the inner city! In the 10km league, Dave Helliar still in the lead at Chard, with 138 points still after adding nowt in June. 

 

Grasshopper Warbler, Matthew Dick

Coastal East, England:

For what can be a very busy month on the East Coast, with the winds in the wrong direction for the most part the birding was generally slow, and lacking any proper notable drift migrants from the east during most of the month. Jack Pettit still at the top spot on 276 points, having self found Golden Oriole, two Marsh Warblers, two Roseate Terns and a second Cory's Shearwater of the year. Trevor Girling Titchwell RSPB remains in second on 225 points wile Owen Beamount at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes in third after picking up a singing male Savi's Warbler, a Glossy Ibis and Bee-eater giving him a total of 202 points. Otherwise most the league stayed near enough the same, with a few points added here and there. Paul French found a Rosefinch in his Easington garden, plus garden ticking Crane and Cattle Egret giving him a total of 117 points. The only other highlights came from the 10km league, James Brown at Hopton had Glossy Ibis. 

Golden Oriole, Jack Pettit

Coastal West, England:

Sean O'Hara at Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake is on 133 points, no additions from last month. 

Coastal South, England:

A typically slow period on the south coast, June can feel a bit do or die here and it certainly felt that way this month, with no one adding a large number of points. Jacob Spinks still in the pole position on 258 points at Dungeness Bird Observatory, with finding a Rose-coloured Starling amongst the flock of recently fledged Starlings the highlight. Kevin Reynolds is in second with 160 points, after having a mix of the seasons with a Woodchat Shrike and Green Sandpiper being the highlights. Amy Robjohns in third at Titchfield Haven, followed by Jonathan Burton at Chyngton Farm to Cuckmere Haven. Kevin Reynolds on his Teignmouth Window patch added a few points with Manx Shearwater and Sparrowhawk. In the 10km league, Jacob was the first to break the 300 points barrier nationally, ending the month on 302 points with his 3km additions. Bob Ford at Weymouth is now on 175 points in second and Amy Robjohns on the Solent in third with 143 points. 

Estuarine:

A very quiet month in these league, with the only participant to add points being Peter Hazelwood at Oldbury Power Station, who saw his first Marsh Tit on patch in eight years. June is a classic month for wandering Marsh Tits, and a nice record to boot. This leaves Peter in second, trailing Gordon Hodgson at Frampton, Splatt and Saul Warth who is still on 155 points.

Islands:

Probably the hottest league of the month. David Parnaby has jumped up four places, taking the lead with him at Fair Isle with 216 points, after having a momentous June, as Pallas's Reed Bunting and Scop's Owl graced the island plus a lingering Great Reed Warbler. As well as finding Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Nightjar in the garden. John Bowler at Balephuil on 206 points, is now in second, after being the first to break the two hundred barrier in this minileague. David Roche at Papa Westray has added a few new new highlights including Scaup, Crossbill and Canada Goose. Nearby Steve Dudley on Westray ended the first half of the year on 167 points, with his June best birds being Crossbill and Curlew Sandpiper. Sean Morris's Isle of Rum patches, Kilmory and Kinlock end up on 109 and 98 points respectively, the latter 84% comparitive score. In the 10km league, John Bowler on Tirree on 223 points, with just three additions this month, all quality birds with Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua, as well as Crossbill. Steve Dudley really not far behind on 209 points, covering Westray also added three bird in June with the two aforementioned 3km ticks as well as Glossy Ibis while Sean Morris on the Isle of Rum added Osprey, putting him on 130 points. Mark Lawlor, Hommet to Rousse on Gurnsey still on 98 points, with the best in the league comparitive score of 93%.

Pallas's Reed Bunting, David Parnaby

Inland Scotland: 

A bit of change in this league, with Alex Ash at Kilmacolm extending his lead, they are now on 86 points. Lee Hesp at Strathyre picked up Kingfisher, putting him now on 53 points. There is no change however in the 10km league, with Mike Hodgkin at Penicuik still in front with 116 points.

Coastal Scotland:

An incredibly tight and competitive, probably my favourite still. Rich Arthurs and Andrew Whewell are both on the top spot, with 134 points at Gullane/Aberlady Bay and North Berwick East respectively. The latters highlights for the month were Quail and Mediterreanean Gull. The next three places are in a gap of only six points behind them, with Rob Hughes at Nybster, Caithness on 130, Andrew Whitehouse at Girdle Ness and Torry on 129 and Nick Littlewood at Portsoy on 128. Nina O'Hanlon sits comfortably in sixth on 106 points above Rob Hughes' other two patches, John O'Groats and Frenswick which are on 86 and 84 points. In the 10km league, Dylan Daunt is on 154 species but doesn't have a points totalled submitted for this month but just this alone puts him in the lead. Rob Hughes at Nybster is on 151 points, five points ahead of Rich Arthurs at Gullane. Nina O'Hanlon, also at Nybster, is on 128 points, ahead of Graham Howie at Carberry Farmland, who is on 116 points. 

Inland Wales:

No change in this league compared to last month. Please update or fill in your scores ready for next months review!

Coastal Wales:

No change on last month, with Alex Jones and Peter Howlett still neck and neck on the same number of points with 97. 

Inland Ireland:

No change in this league compared to last month. Please update or fill in your scores ready for next months review! 

Under 25s: 

Jack Pettit is leading the charge in the Under 25's league at Spurn Bird Observatory, now on the highest score of the season so far with 276 points having found 

having self found Golden Oriole, two Marsh Warblers, two Roseate Terns and a second Cory's Shearwater of the year. Jacob Spinks is second at Dungeness Bird Observatory, with 258 points scored a highlight day was finding a Bee-eater, a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver migrating overland and a Rose-coloured Starling in the space of a few hours, a Serin then dropped in the next day! Will Scott at Bempton Cliffs is in third on 130 points, very quickly trailed by Freddie Matthews at Winchester who is on 129 points after noting Crossbill, Black Redstart and Ring-necked Parakeet. William Lambourne is slowly creeping up a total at Much Marcle, but all hopes are on for the autumn there. 

A huge thanks to everyone who has taken part and updated their scores, it truly is great to see what participants find and get up to on their patches. Please do remember to keep your scores and highlights up to date, so we can keep producing this monthly review. We will always download scores at 8pm on the 7th of the month, to allow plenty of time for your scores and highlights to be submitted. 

Happy Birding this autumn! 

Patchwork Challenge team

May round-up 2025

Hello from the PWC team! 

Would like to start this month's review with a massive thank you to everyone that has taken part so far in this years competition. If it wasn't for the participants there wouldn't be a #PWC2025! 

May was a bit slower than one would have hoped, but there has still been plenty to see and some patch birders have certainly been rewarded!

June is a funny month. The first couple of weeks feel like a monster rare could turn up at any moment, as shown by what has been in the across the British Isles since the turn of the month with Eyebrowed Thrush, Pallas's Reed Bunting, Scop's Owl (yes I know those three are all on Shetland) and Song Sparrow. It is a great month to try and find something like Lesser Grey Shrike (second best month) or Roller (best month), although neither of which are yet to be found in Britain this year. However, there is still a chance to pick up other rarities too in more usual locations like Rosefinch or Marsh and Blyth's Reed Warbler, or perhaps the odd lingering Golden Oriole or Bee-eater could appear just about anywhere. It is also a good month for Honey Buzzards to still be arriving into Britain, or roving about as they look for breeding sites. There also seems to have been a little influx of Red-necked Phalaropes into Britain over the last few days, so get checking those water bodies! There is always a lull in migration in June, but the rewards can be outstanding if the birding goes your way! 

The first signs of autumn are already occurring too, with a Crossbill irruption taking place with birds being seen passing over anywhere, if you aren't in an area surrounded by coniferous forest, the best way to get Crossbill on your list this month is an early morning visible migration watch, listening out for their loud and distinctive 'glip-glip' calls. Then towards the end of the month, Sand Martins and Swifts will be moving south, as well as the first waders, gulls and wildfowl. Then we are into the fabulous July!

Crossbill map of records on eBird since 1st May this year. (https://ebird.org/home)

Remember, if you are out birding this summer and come across any RBBP data species, report them appropriately and to the local county recorder, for more information follow this link: https://rbbp.org.uk/ 

Leading scores by mini league 3km²:

Inland North England: Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings - 182 points

Inland Midlands: Pete Sofley, Ladywalk NR - 154 points

Inland South England: Geoff Wyatt, Day's Lock Oxon, - 137 points

Inland Scotland: Alex Ash, Kilmacolm - 68 points 

Inland Wales: Nicholas Beswick, Mynydd Llangatwg - 58 points

Coastal East England: Jack Pettit, Spurn - 243 points

Coastal South England: Jacob Spinks, Dungeness Bird Observatory 3km² - 249points

Coastal West England: Sean OHara, Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake - 133 points

Coastal Scotland: Rich Arthurs, Aberlady Bay/Gullane - 131 points

Coastal Wales: Peter Howlett, Cardiff Bay - 97 points

Estuarine: Gordon Hodgson, Frampton, Splatt & Saul Warth - 155 points

Islands: John Bowler, Balephuil - 200 points

Top Comparative Scores:

Paul Whitehouse, Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands 3km² - 101%

Ben Moyes, Swillington Ings 3km² - 96%

Dan Webb, Sellack 10km - 95%

Tom Shields, both patches Colwick Park 3km² and Nottingham Trent Valley 10km radius - 94%

Neil Burt, Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton 3km² - 93% 

Mark Lawlor, Hommet to Rousse, Guernsey 10km - 93% 

Gareth Casburn, Ardley ERF 3km² - 93% 

Ian Bennell, Tring Reservoirs,College Lake + Pitstone Quarry 3km² - 93%

Inland North, England:

Ben Moyes at Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire is still at the top of this mini-league, and is motoring ahead with 182 points (and already on 96% comparatively). His May highlights included a patch tick Temminck's Stint and a Sanderling. Second is Ciaran Rowett at WWT Martin Mere with 149 points, a respectable 81% comparatively and the highlight being patch ticked Spoonbill. Hot on the heels however is Duncan Bye at Wheldrake Ings, with 147 points. Lee Wiseman at Gouthwaite Reservoir isn't too far behind the top three with 135 points and he had a very decent month there. His highlights being Garganey, Whimbrel, which was a patch tick, and life ticked Egyptian Goose!! Mike Leaky is in fifth with 113 points from 104 species at Bishop Middleham then there is a close running of scores, all battling it out for sixth, with Darren Best at Swinemoor on 92pts, Phil Woolen at Mollington on 91pts, Paul Whitehouse at Stanley Ferry Flash and Southern Washlands and Nigel Harris at Middletons both on 89pts then Owen Tattersall at Figham Common on 88pts. Owen had a couple of highlights this month of Grey Partridge and Cuckoo, both being patch ticks. So it is really close there in the middle of the mini-league with only a few birds in it!

Egyptian Goose, Lee Wiseman

Inland Midlands, England:

Peter Sofley has had a brilliant month at Ladywalk NR, keeping him in the top spot with 154pts from 125sp. His highlights include a Black Tern, a patch tick Glossy Ibis and finding a #patchgold (quite literally!) first record of Golden Oriole, so a nice haul there! Although the gap has widened slightly since end of April, Steve Atkinson still isn't too far behind the top spot with 140pts (giving a good comparative score of 88%) at Middle Tame. The highlight there for May was a Temminck's Stint. Andy Sims is still third at Boultham Mere/Swanpool, Lincolnshire, finishing the month with 117pts finding #patchgold Cattle Egrets. Brian Hedley at nearby Trent Port and Marton is on 110pts, with the best birds being Gropper, Hobby, four Common Sands and four Ravens. Tom Shields at Colwick Park has picked up a couple of points the month and is now on 102pts, putting him on a whopping 94% comparative score. Hot on Tom's heels is Steve Lister at Swithland Reservoir who is on 100 points by the end of the month. Steve's highlight was finding 17 Arctic Terns. Dan Leadley at Dereham scored a life tick in the form of a Garden Warbler, while Cuckoo and Tawny Owl were other May additions putting him on 72pts but he comments on the lack of other common migrants. In the 10km patches, Tom Shields is up front with 136pts along the Nottingham Trent Valley scoring on Little Tern and Little Stint. Dan Webb at Sellack is on 106sp scoring 121pts, hitting 95% of his comparative score. William Lambourne at Ledbury is on 114pts and Steve Lister at Loughborough is on 110pts. 

Cattle Egret, Andy Sims

Inland South, England:

Geoff Wyatt again in the top spot, with 137 points at Day's Lock, Oxon with the highlight being Marsh Harrier. Matthew Dick has crept up the league, closing the gap with the top spot. Matt is now on 129pts, closing the gap to 8pts with his best bird of the month being Black Tern and a good wader passage. Freddie Matthews at Winchester is now in third with 120pts, and the months highlights being Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail. John Pritchard is in fourth at Ver Valley scoring 108pts. Closely behind on 107pts is Conor MacKenzie at Sutton Courtenay. While Gareth Casburn at Ardley ERF is on 104pts, his highlight was a Sanderling and only trailing one point behind is Ian Bennell at Tring Reservoirs, College Lake and Pitstone Quarry, who had a lot of good highlights in May with patch tick Sanderling plus 5th Wood Sandpiper and first Avocet for 22 years! Neil Burt is on the verge of breaking the 100pts barrier with 99pts at Godinton, Hothfield & Singleton, his highlights include Common Sandpiper, Garden & Reed Warblers, Mute Swan. Just one point away from Neil is Gareth Blockley, over at Grimsbury Reservoir and East Banbury on 98pts who's highlight for the month was a true patch gold with his first patch Cuckoo after nearly 20 years.

In the 10km patches, Dave Helliar at Chard is at the top spot on 138pts, with the month's highlights being Greenshank, Hobby and Nightjar.  

Coastal East, England:

Jack Pettit has taken the lead at Spurn with 243pts scored so far with a long list of highlights including Cory's Shearwater, 2 Bee-eaters, Kentish Plover, Melodious Warbler (only the fifth Spurn record), Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Rosefinch, Dotterel. Trevor Girling at Titchwell RSPB is not far off with 225pts scored. Owen Beaumont is third at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR with 177pts, his May highlights were Temminck's Stint and Ring Ouzel. James Brown a very close fourth at Lowestoft with 173pts while Stuart Ainsworth at Gibraltar Point is next on 167 points, his highlights are Long-eared Owl, Red-necked Phalarope and Bittern. Duncan Watson at Tynemouth is on 139pts, and had a decent list of either just about annual or rarer birds including Yellow Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Barnacle Goose and Great Crested Grebe. While just the other side of the Tyne, John Chapman is on 120pts. Will Scott is still on 113pts at Bempton Cliffs but Paul Newton is now on 96pts at Hawsker Bottoms to Robin Hoods Bay with his May highlight being a Osprey. Paul French in Easington had a Hawfinch in his garden. In the 10km section, Jack Pettit is still up front with Spurn while Nigel Lound at Gibraltar Point isn't far behind with 225pts. James Brown is on 186pts at Hopton then Paul French at Easington, who is on 166pts, scoring in on the Spurn Melodious Warbler and Cattle Egret. Paul Newton is on 161pts from Whitby. 

Melodious Warbler, Jack Pettit

Coastal West, England:

Sean OHara at Leasowe/Meols/Hoylake is on 133 points, a great 82% so far of his comparative score.

Coastal South, England:

Jacob Spinks is still top of the Coastal South mini-league, with 249pts scored by the end of May at Dungeness Bird Observatory. His highlights include a close spring adult Long-tailed Skua that was tracked from Selsey Bill and finding a female Montagu's Harrier. Kevin Reynolds is second with 156pts at Dawlish Warren, highlights from there include Curlew Sand, Great White Egret, and first Spotted Fly for three years! Amy Robjohns still in third, has seen an absolute mega on Titchfield Haven with a Hudsonian Godwit! The only other highlights noted were again from Kevin Reynolds with his awesome Teignmouth window list, where he got some Swifts, putting this list on 54/61. Over in the 10km patches, Jacob is top again with 291pts, mostly gathered from the RSPB reserve where he British ticked Whiskered Tern, got in on the Red-footed Falcon invasion and found a Temminck's Stint. Bob Ford keeps plodding away from Weymouth and is in second place with 174pts. 

Estuarine:

Gordon Hodgson at Frampton, Splatt and Saul Warth on the Severn Estuary finished the month up on 155 points, putting him at the top of the mini-league. His highlight bird being a Black Tern while also in the Severn Estuary, Peter Hazelwood at Oldbury Power Station is second with 136pts. Then on the Mersey at Garston, Jackie Binks has scored 121pts so far but trailing not too far behind is John Conlin-Hulme at Paull on the Yorkshire side of the Humber with 118pts. 

Wader flock, mostly Ringed Plovers, Jackie Binks

Islands:

It has been a busy month in this mini-league, with plenty of points scored. John Bowler on his Balephuil patch is still at the top with now 200pts scored and plenty of highlights including the earliest Pied Fly on record here but also Tree Sparrow, Reed Warbler, Grey-headed Wagtail, Rosefinch (a red one!), Tree Pipit and Hawfinch (none of which annual here). David Roche on Papa Westray is on 182pts, who's highlights include Ring necked Duck, Bluethroat, Wood Sand and Garganey in near endless northerly winds. Steve Dudley on nearby Westray is on a respectable 164pts, and despite it being a slow month on the passerine front got several self-found isle ticks inc. Garganey, Tree Sparrow (second isle record), Golden Oriole (bonus points) and Bluethroat (bonus points) plus a couple of White-tailed Eagles. While over in the 10km league, John Bowler on Tiree had additional Snow Goose and Garganey, he also has the only appeal for the month with what is likely to be a very good candidate of a genuinely wild Wood Duck, a one day bird, unringed on Tiree in May, what more could be needed to convince a rarity committee?! Its got to be worth some points, but yet to make a decision on it (maybe it should go down to a public vote?). Steve Dudley on Westray had some very good additions to his 10km list with best being a displaying Buff-breasted Sand (bonus points), a Osprey and Temminck's Stint (bonus points). 

Little Stint, David Roche

Common Rosefinch, John Bowler

Inland Scotland:

Top of the Inland Scotland league is Alex Ash at Kilmacolm on 68pts. Lee Hesp is second place with 51sp scoring 52pts, his first two pointer bird of the year being a Wood Warbler, and what a way to kick it off! Very jealous. In the 10km league, Mike Hodgkin at Penicuik is on a brilliant 116pts so far. 

Coastal Scotland:

The brilliantly close league continues! Rich Arthurs at Gullane/Aberlady Bay has stolen the top spot! Rich is on 131pts by the end of May, with Garganey and Whimbrel the highlights. Rob Hughes at Nybster is in very close second place, just one point shy of Rich. His highlights include Golden Oriole and Long-tailed Skua, both self-found. Andrew Whitehouse has dropped to third place with 129pts at Girdle Ness and Torry. Nick Littlewood stays in fourth at Portsoy, but has increased his points tally too 126, making his comparative score 80%, the highest in this league. Andrew Whewell has dropped to fifth on 125pts from North Berwick. Nina O'Hanlon is now in sixth at Nybster on 106pts while Rob Hughes' other patch at John O'Groats is in seventh, although he did have an American Herring Gull there this month! On the 10km patches, the roles are reversed with Rob Hughes taking the top spot with 151pts from Nybster while Rich Arthurs at Gullane is in second with 145pts, who's highlights include Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. Nina O'Hanlon also at Nybster is in third with 128pts and Graham Howie at Carberry Farmland is in fourth with 109pts. 

Inland Wales:

No change in this league compared to last month. Please update or fill in your scores ready for next months review!

Coastal Wales:

Both Peter Howlett and Alex Jones are on the same number of points, the only two competitors in the 3km patches of the Coastal Wales league. They are both on 97pts, but with Peter's higher comparative score 72% it nudges him into the top spot, his highlights are all from the sea including Gannet, Manx, Fulmar and Guillemot!

Inland Ireland:

No change in this league compared to last month. Please update or fill in your scores ready for next months review!

Coastal Ireland:

No one in this league, yet!

Under 25s:

Fingers crossed more young birders will join in during the year, please do tell your friends to sign up! A decent spread of places for patches in this minileague! Remember, anyone under 25 years old on 

the 1st of January 2025 can sign up for this one.

If you want to sign up still, remember it is not too late! We could all use a little extra competition! If you know any friends, even from the same patch, ask if they want to sign up! Thank you. 

Please remember to keep your scores and highlights up to date, so we can keep producing this monthly review. We will always download scores at 8pm on the 7th of the month, to allow plenty of time for your scores and highlights to be submitted. We would like to also thank you all for taking part and we are looking forward to seeing what your patch will produce this month! 

The Patchwork Challenge team